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M 4. Explain in a written statement why the strict enforcement of the Ordinance would a. Cause practical difficulties for the applicant: We understand the intention of the Ordinance to allow homeowners to provide a reasonably sized front stoop & landing outside the front surface of their house, defined as a 5'-0" encroachment into the front yard setback. In this instance, due to the front yard setback being established 2'-10" behind the front surface of the house at the garage, the Owner only has 2'-2" in front of the front surface of the house, rather than the 5'-0" as described in the Ordinance. Having only 2'-2" available for a landing and steps beyond the front plane of the house represents a practical difficulty in that the Owners would like the safety of a full landing outside their screened door. The depth of the porch, when building to the front plane of the house provides for a reasonable depth porch (9'-1" on interior.) Placing a screened porch, stairs and stoop within the permitted encroachment would result in a next to unusable width of 7-0" for the porch thus severely limiting the use of this space. b. Prevent the subject property to be used in a reasonable manner: The proposed design results in a reasonable use of the property. The proposed design addresses these issues by providing a sheltered entry way, a place to gather in the front yard. The proposed design is to extend the screen porch across the front facade of the building from the northeast comer of the garage to the east side of the house. The depth of the screened porch is determined by the depth of the garage. This creates a rectangular plan for the house, and highlights the importance of the front door. Pulling the porch to be even with the garage will help to create a welcoming facade for the neighbors and an engaging, active, area for the family to gather. This addition to the house also changes the hierarchy by not having the garage be the most forward projecting feature of the house. A stoop and stairs to grade are included in the scope of the project. The stoop and stairs will be wood, Instead of concrete, to provide an impervious surloce. c. The plight of the landowner is due to circumstances unique to the property and not created by the landowner: The footprint of the house has not been altered by the Owners of the house, and therefore they have not created the circumstances relating to the request for this variance. It is likely that the house was in place before the Ordinance was adopted, which would account for the garage encroaching on the front yard setback. d. The variance, if granted, will not alter the essential character of the locality: If granted, the project will not alter the essential character of the locality, but will positively contribute to the neighborhood. e. Economic considerations alone are not the basis of the practical difficulties: Economic considerations are not the basis of the practical difficulties described above. the granting of this variance will add to the value of the home and the surrounding neighborhood. Thank you for considering this application for variance. Sincerely, Corri Sandwick Albcrlsson Hansen Architecture, Ltd. 2800 Lyndale Avenue South Suite 220 Minneapolis, MN 55408 Page 2 of 2